Smart technology and integration into the home was the centrepiece of a number of Whirlpool innovations released earlier this month at CES in Las Vegas. CES is the Consumer Electronics Show and is widely regarded as a proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace.
The Whirlpool innovations announced include a microwave and an oven with Scan-to-Cook technology, linking to the recipe app Yummly, and voice-control technologies linked to today’s most popular command systems.
Smart Over the Range Microwave: with Scan-to-Cook technology, families can eliminate the guesswork and get the right frozen food settings every time. The technology allows users to simply scan thousands of frozen food barcodes with a smartphone or tablet and send recommended cooking instructions straight to the microwave. Consumers will be able to create memorable meals with ease in True Convection Bake mode by connecting the smart microwave to the Yummly recipe app. Families can also make quicker decisions with a touchscreen featuring customised settings based on each family’s preferences.
Smart Front Control Oven Range: designed to cut out routine steps to get dinner on the table quickly, families are able to send personalised recipe suggestions from the Yummly recipe app straight to the oven. Making mealtime faster and easier, consumers can also simplify multi-step meals with technology that sends all of the instructions to the oven at once.
Both appliances feature a remote start option controlled by a smartphone or tablet, and voice control capabilities which allow the appliances to be synced with the Google Assistant or, shortly, Amazon Alexa-enabled devices.
The Scan-to-Cook technology not only sends the correct directions, temperature and cooking time settings straight to the appliance, but it can also be customised to remember settings that relate to specific preferences. A colourful LCD touchscreen provides instant access to most-used settings with a screen that learns, adapts and can even suggest customised presets based on unique routines.
Rolling out in early 2018, connected appliances from Whirlpool Corporation will allow consumers to remotely communicate with ovens, washers and dryers via Apple Watch. The types of controls include the ability to see the current oven status and control commands during an active cycle.
With voice command capabilities throughout the kitchen lineup, families can ask the Google Assistant how much time is left on the microwave, set and adjust cooking mode, set temperature and time on the range, start a cycle on the dishwasher or set temperatures in the refrigerator. Coming soon will be the same functionality via Amazon Alexa.
In addition to the voice-controlled capabilities, another Whirlpool innovation is the inclusion of Amazon Virtual Dash Buttons to its refrigerators that have touchscreens. With Virtual Dash Buttons, Prime customers can order their favorite everyday products like beverages, snacks or paper towels straight from their LCD screen on their appliances.
For more information visit https://www.whirlpool.com/
